Gabonese University Teachers On Strike Again

PANA, 25 June 2000

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (PANA)—Gabonese university lecturers and
researchers Saturday voted, during general meetings in Franceville and
Libreville, to go on another unlimited strike to press their demands.

The lecturers said they were resuming their strike because government
authorities had failed to honour the promises made by President Omar
Bongo on 13 May.

The higher education teachers and researchers had earlier gone on
strike on 28 April to demand the election of all directors of higher
learning institutions.

A circular from the minister for higher education suspending the
election process prompted this demand.

According to a statement issued by the chairman of the lecturers and
researchers, academicians at the Masuku science and technical
university of Franceville as well as those at Libreville's Omar
Bongo University backed the strike action.

These have suspended giving lectures, examinations or supervising
theses for higher degrees in all institutions falling under the
ministry of higher education.

They have also suspended the participation of teachers and researchers
in the 1999-2000 high school examinations. They promised to continue
the strike until when all the promises made by President Bongo have
been fulfilled.